News & Events

Argyle Streetscape Pilot Project

The Halifax Regional Municipality, in partnership with the Planning & Design Centre, Downtown Halifax Business Commission and Argyle Street businesses is piloting a shared street project beginning Sunday July 30th 2015. This pilot project is part of the ongoing Argyle Streetscape Redesign Project, an initiative to transform Argyle Street into a more pedestrian-friendly corridor through the use of shared street principles. Investing in Argyle as a people-focused destination and building on the vibrancy that local establishments have created will support and benefit a thriving downtown.

The pilot project, running from Blowers St to Sackville St, will act as a trial for traffic calming measures and new street configurations on Argyle, as part of the larger streetscape redesign that will take place in 2017 when construction of the Nova Centre is completed. The shared street concept is new for Halifax, making a pilot necessary to test certain elements before they are implemented permanently.

Starting July 30 through to September 6, Argyle Street between Sackville and Blowers will be closed to car traffic and be converted into a pedestrian-only zone from Thursday night to Sunday. In order to activate the closed street, the Downtown Halifax Business Commission has several events planned for the weekend closures, including the all-new Taste of Argyle Street Party.

When the street is not closed to car traffic, Argyle will act as a shared street. As part of the design, a narrower travel lane for cars, 4 metres, will be implemented with the goal of slowing traffic while the street is open. Delivery times will also be maintained for before 11am.